Breaking: Disney to Buy Lucasfilm Updated with Info from the Investor Call and Dark Horse Reaction

Reports are coming in that Disney is acquiring Lucasfilm in a stock and cash transaction. The deal is reported to be worth $4.05 billion. Disney earlier in the year acquired Marvel for $4 billion.

“Lucasfilm reflects the extraordinary passion, vision, and storytelling of its founder, George Lucas,” said Robert A. Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company. “This transaction combines a world-class portfolio of content including Star Wars, one of the greatest family entertainment franchises of all time, with Disney’s unique and unparalleled creativity across multiple platforms, businesses, and markets to generate sustained growth and drive significant long-term value.”

“For the past 35 years, one of my greatest pleasures has been to see Star Wars passed from one generation to the next,” said George Lucas, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lucasfilm. “It’s now time for me to pass Star Wars on to a new generation of filmmakers. I’ve always believed that Star Wars could live beyond me, and I thought it was important to set up the transition during my lifetime. I’m confident that with Lucasfilm under the leadership of Kathleen Kennedy, and having a new home within the Disney organization, Star Wars will certainly live on and flourish for many generations to come. Disney’s reach and experience give Lucasfilm the opportunity to blaze new trails in film, television, interactive media, theme parks, live entertainment, and consumer products.”

We can expect Star Wars: Episode 7 in 2015 according to the release. I now demand an Avengers/Star Wars crossover!

Investor call: On the investor call it was mentioned that we should expect a new Star Wars in 2015 with new movies every few years. You can also expect expansion of Star Wars rides at amusement parks. The also feel like they own the super hero side of characters with Marvel and sci-fi fantasy market with Star Wars. They’re looking at this as great IP that’ll bring great consumer product in the future. This also drove the Marvel acquisition. They are looking to expand their boys demographic and that you can expect Star Wars content on Disney XD.

Dark Horse Comics reacts:

Dark Horse and LucasFilm have a strong partnership which spans over 20 years, and has produced multiple characters and story lines which are now part of the Star Wars lore. Star Wars will be with us for the near future. Obviously, this deal changes the landscape, so we’ll all have to see what it means for the future.

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